Navigation system for a 3D virtual scene

• US 10,162,474 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2008
• Issued: 12/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Inventors: Fitzmaurice, George, Matejka, Justin, Kurtenbach, Gord
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Heffington, John M
• Application Number:
  US12/200,449
• Publication Number:
  US 20090083674A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,771 Days
• Field of Search: 715851, 715744
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04815 Interaction with a metaphor-based environment or interaction object displayed as three-dimensional, e.g. changing the user viewpoint with respect to the environment or object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/003 Navigation within 3D models or images
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons

Abstract

A navigation system for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) scene that includes a model or object with which a user can interact. The system accommodates and helps both novice and advanced users. To do this, the system provides the capability of tapping a hotkey to activate and deactivate tools.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

detecting activation of a trigger key; and

determining whether to one of activate, deactivate, and keep active a tool responsive to activation of the trigger key by detecting a status of the tool upon the activation of the trigger key, wherein determining comprises;

determining whether the tool is currently active;

upon determining that the tool is currently active;

detecting release of the trigger key;

comparing a key hold down time to a threshold after determining that the tool is currently active;

keeping the tool active when the hold down time is greater than the threshold; and

deactivating the tool when the hold down time is not greater than the threshold, and, upon deactivating the tool, automatically activating a previously used tool;

after detecting that the trigger key has been released, detecting that a second trigger key has been activated; and

keeping the tool active while the second trigger key remains activated.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the determining is while no mouse buttons are activated.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the trigger key is one of cntrl+shift and Alt.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising activating a tool selection menu when an active tool is deactivated.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

upon determining that the tool is not currently active;

activating the tool;

detecting release of the trigger key;

comparing a key hold down time to a threshold;

keeping the tool active when the hold down time is not greater than the threshold; and

deactivating the active tool when the hold down time is greater than the threshold, and upon deactivating the tool, automatically activating a previously used tool.

5. An apparatus, comprising:

a display; and

a computer for;

detecting activation of a trigger key; and

determining whether to one of activate, deactivate, and keep active a tool responsive to trigger key activation by detecting a status of the tool upon the activation of the trigger key, wherein determining comprises;

determining whether the tool is currently active;

upon determining that the tool is currently active;

detecting release of the trigger key;

comparing a key hold down time to a threshold after determining that the tool is currently active;

keeping the tool active when the hold down time is greater than the threshold; and

deactivating the tool when the hold down time is not greater than the threshold, and, upon deactivating the tool, automatically activating a previously used tool;

after detecting that the trigger key has been released, detecting that a second trigger key has been activated; and

keeping the tool active while the second trigger key remains activated.

9. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein the computer is further for:

upon determining that the tool is not currently active;

activating the tool;

detecting release of the trigger key;

comparing a key hold down time to a threshold;

keeping the tool active when the hold down time is not greater than the threshold; and

deactivating the active tool when the hold down time is greater than the threshold, and upon deactivating the tool, automatically activating a previously used tool.

6. A non-transitory computer readable storage having a program for controlling a computer apparatus to execute an operation, comprising;

detecting activation of a trigger key; and

determining whether to one of activate, deactivate, and keep active a tool responsive to trigger key activation by detecting a status of the tool upon the activation of the trigger key, wherein determining comprises;

determining whether the tool is currently active;

upon determining that the tool is currently active;

detecting release of the trigger key;

comparing a key hold down time to a threshold after determining that the tool is currently active;

keeping the tool active when the hold down time is greater than the threshold; and

deactivating the tool when the hold down time is not greater than the threshold, and upon deactivating the tool, automatically activating a previously used tool;

after detecting that the trigger key has been released, detecting that a second trigger key has been activated; and

keeping the tool active while the second trigger key remains activated.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage as recited in claim 6, wherein the operation further comprises;

upon determining that the tool is not currently active;

activating the tool;

detecting release of the trigger key;

comparing a key hold down time to a threshold;

keeping the tool active when the hold down time is not greater than the threshold; and

deactivating the active tool when the hold down time is greater than the threshold, and upon deactivating the tool, automatically activating a previously used tool.

7. An apparatus, comprising:

a display; and

a computer for;

displaying a tool selection menu for selecting a plurality of tools;

detecting activation of a first trigger key; and

determining whether to one of activate, deactivate, and keep active a first tool in the plurality of tools by detecting a status of the first tool upon the activation of the first trigger key, wherein determining comprises;

upon determining that the first tool is currently active;

detecting release of the first trigger key;

comparing a key hold down time to a threshold after determining that the first tool is currently active;

keeping the first tool active when the hold down time is greater than the threshold; and

deactivating the first tool when the hold down time is not greater than the threshold;

detecting activation of a second trigger key;

while the second trigger key remains active;

activating the first tool and keeping the first tool active; and

displaying a cursor and not displaying the tool selection menu; and

upon detecting release of the second trigger key;

deactivating the first tool; and

displaying the tool selection menu.